Chic CEO is a media company focused on female entrepreneurs that is co-owned by Jody Coughlin and Stephanie Burns. We work tirelessly, along with our team in order to create tools and provide information in order to help women! Our website, www.chic-ceo.com is a free resource to help women find all of the foundational and fundamental information they need to start businesses. The site has actionable tools, downloadable templates and is written in a fun, smart and sassy voice. We love to engage offline as well through our SAVVY events, speaking engagements, panels and workshops.

Is MLM a Bad Word?

Ever been confused about how a “home business” works? Of course you have, many of us have. Most people have heard the term MLM (Multi-Level Marketing) and usually at the end of that the word, “scheme” is added – giving the whole business model a bad name. Well…let’s change your negative perception and tell you how your Great Aunt Joan, actually earned that pink Cadillac from Mary KayMary Kay! It’s brilliant really…

Not only are “home businesses” or “MLM’s” very interesting, they are successful. Many of the longest standing organizations in this country have this business model. MLM is a marketing strategy in which the sales force is compensated not only for sales they personally generate, but also for the sales of others they recruit, creating a downline of distributors and a hierarchy of multiple levels of compensation. Most commonly, the salespeople are expected to sell products directly to consumers by means of relationship referrals and word of mouth marketing. Sounds legit right – so why the bad press?

Mary Kay saleswoman Kathy Jones poses for a photo with her brand new hybrid Cadillac Escalade on Thursday, March 24, 2011, at Moses AutoMall in Huntington.

Well MLM companies have been a frequent subject of criticism as well as the target of lawsuits. Criticism has focused on their similarity to illegal pyramid schemes (hence the “scheme” reference), price-fixing of products, high initial start-up costs, emphasis on recruitment of lower-tiered salespeople over actual sales, encouraging if not requiring salespeople to purchase and use the company’s products, potential exploitation of personal relationships which are used as new sales and recruiting targets, complex and sometimes exaggerated compensation schemes, and cult-like techniques which some groups use to enhance their members’ enthusiasm and devotion. Eesh!

However, as aforementioned, you may know people that sell products from Mary Kay, Avon, Advocare, Tupperware and the like (see more companies in our Featured Home Businesses section). You know people who sell these types of products because they believe in the products and the companies that stand behind them. These companies empower those who sell their products to actually establish their own businesses, selling the products. This is very attractive to many entrepreneurial-minded people who do not want to have a boss watching over them but also want some pre-established structure and support. Most MLM organizations provide a very robust infrastructure and great training as well as impeccable rewards (hello free cars and trips!).

I recently spoke with San Diego based, Vicki Martin, about her experience with Rodan + Fields. Here’s her take on her home business and why the opportunity was so appealing for her and her family, “The decision to join Rodan + Fields Dermatologists came easily. Since 2008 the construction industry [which I was previously in] has been hit hard by our economic downturn and my income has been greatly affected. We were working harder for less like many of our friends. Being part of Rodan + Fields Dermatologists is allowing me to work with highly educated people who share a passion for business and for teamwork. Building a recurring, residual income that grows month over month is going to give my husband and I the peace of mind and financial freedom that is so vitally important to our future. My skin looks better than ever. And, I get to work my job around the rest of my life instead of the other way around.”

So, the next time you meet someone who runs a “home business” or “MLM” give them a high five for taking their career and life into their own hands and becoming an entrepreneur.

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My wife Debbie joined in the MLM business three years ago. She decided on FHTM or Fortune High Tech Marketing. Since I was a career miltary person she had to pick up a move when ever I did along with our children. During those years she experienced several MLM companies so when she found Fortune, she knew it was the right one for us.

She has been with them for three years now and loves it. She gave up her regular job this past April and the freedom and time together alone is worth taking that first step. Research a few companies, study your results and get involved.

With FHTM, we were trained, coached and lead to success. The fellow business owners we have met have been awesome and always willing to help and what a great company and founder. Just do it as they say.

The best solution for me was when I stumbled upon Solavei. I now market a $49 per month unlimited nationwide smartphone plan. with the high cost of cellular service, almost everyone wants to know more when I discuss the savings with them. In less than a month I’m already making a good part time income – that is increasing every day. By the spring, I should be able to retire and work Solavei full time. If you want more information, go to http://bit.ly/OZpHOF

Solavei is the best company I have ever been with. It’s price point is at or below the market and it is not MLM. Solavei is a social commerce company. The only one in the world I might add. A new paradigm. There is no extra monthly expense if you already have a cellphone plan. Just switch over to Solavei.

Thank You for this article! In this economy everybody should consider looking at direct selling or MLM as another source of income. Why not invest in yourself? How about earning 100% commissions? That’s right 100% commissions! If you are already in any sales business YOU need to take a look at this. INSIDE! The True Story Of How 2 Ex-Homeless Guys Helped Over 27,530 Normal People like me Delete Their “Inner Wussy” And Earn Over $6.1 MILLION In Commissions Online In The Last 5 Months https://www.leadinternetpro.com

Thanks for the nice article Chic CEO and Jody Coughlin. Yes! indeed this is the last frontier of the enterprise … just a quick story how this industry of Home Based Business Changed our BROKE family. TALK FUSION – ALL THE WAY! – IT’S POSSIBLE! We went from the Poor house to Penthouse. Talk Fusion has totally changed our lives completely. Due to the recession we lost everything in the Mortgage industry. Looking back 24 months ago, we had only 2 pennies left in our pocket and a Sheriff gave us a 72 hour notice due to 5 months behind on our rent, with 7 kids and 4 grand kids…it was very rough all around. Talk Fusion’s Powerful Instant Pay Reward Plan was a miracle for us. It kept us alive! We were able to clear up all of our financial debts and paid cash for a BMW X5 SUV, Qualified for 2013 550 SL Mercedes Benz which the company reimburse $600 per month. We’re able to Donate thousands of dollars to Charities plus We’re traveling around the world to give back to share the good news of Talk Fusion so they too have a chance to change their lives. Talk Fusion CEO Bob Reina INSPIRED us to turn the IMPOSSIBLE into POSSIBLE! We want to Thank Bob Reina for the Talk Fusion Finest Opportunity, his VISION and his AMAZING foresight. He has allowed ordinary people like us to earn extraordinary income, a 7 figure-lifestyle in less than a year in 2011 and multiple 7 figures lifestyle for in less than 2 years. In closing! We’d like to say, we’re honored to be a part of such a visionary and exciting opportunity. Everything is in place for explosive growth around the globe. We always wanted to have a business that we could work from home together. Talk Fusion is truly a Home Based Business! Thousands of Associates globally love this platform. If you are looking for a solid home based business, a worldwide opportunity, incredible stellar products with the world’s first instant pay compensation plan for your efforts plus an undying system and support … Your timing is perfect! look no further. It has given us the chance of a lifetime to be able to “Pay It Forward”. CHEERS! “THE NEXT BILLION DOLLAR BRAND”… JOIN US! Minh and Julie Ho- ROYAL Blue Diamonds. www.PartnerWithMinhandJulie.com ”It’s your time to SHINE! Let us Show you the way”

Seeing articles like this on Forbes is AWESOME! I’ve been involved in the MLM industry for the past 14 years. I was looking for a way to help pay my way through Med School and graduate with the smallest amount of debt as possible…it turned out to be a whole lot more. 3 years in it made more sense financially to stop persuing medicine and jump into this industry full-time. With some hard work, consistency and a great company, Fortune Hi-Tech Marketing (FHTM) I’ve been able to live a life on my terms and the best part of it all I get to pay it forward to others and reap the benefits of a passive residual income.

Find a company that fits into your life and follow the systems that have been put into place, make sure to pay it forward and you’ll find exactly what you need.

As a single mother of three who had been struggling every month just to stay afloat, I was looking for something that did not include investing in tons of inventory which I could not afford, I also did not want to leave my kids at night to host parties. Thank goodness I found just what I was looking for in Talk Fusion! I am so happy to have found a way to help not only my family but to also be able to help so many other parents be able to find a way to make money for their family so that they can provide and end the month to month struggle.